Logistics industry may come to a standstill due to driver shortage, survey finds

A recent survey by supply management specialists, Comensura, has revealed that an increase in demand for lorry drivers, paired with low a number of candidates for the jobs, threatens to bring the UK logistics sector to a standstill.

The survey of specialist driver recruiters discovered that more than 70 per cent anticipate the demand for drivers to increase by at least 10 per cent in 2015, however, more than 50 per cent said that there was low or very low candidate availability.

The report said that between 2010 and 2020, around 149,000 new drivers would be required “to cope with this ever increasing demand the government needs to address the problem of recruiting younger people immediately.”

The researchers said that the transport industry could potentially be brought to a standstill as a result of driver shortages – which have come as a consequence of an ageing workforce, as well as young recruits being deterred by the £2,000 fee to take the Driver Certificate of Professional Competence.

The report also said that over 60 per cent of large goods vehicle drivers are aged 45 or above and the average age of a large goods vehicle driver is 53.

According to Comensura, the UK logistics sector is worth more than £74 billion to the economy and employs approximately 2.2 million people across 196,000 firms.

Business Development Director at Comensura, Jon Milton, said of the findings:

“It seems vital that the sector attracts more young people and equips them with the skills to become competent professional drivers so that it isn’t held back in the future by a lack of skilled workers.”

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